Food processor with a lockable adjustable blade assembly

ABSTRACT

A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a blade assembly. A rotating disk is adjustable relative to the blade assembly to vary the thickness of the food items cut by the blade assembly. A user-operated pin is positioned below the rotating disk and is moveable between a first position in which the rotating disk is prevented from moving upwardly and downwardly, and a second position in which the rotating disk is permitted to move upwardly and downwardly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Cross-reference is made to co-pending U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 12/769,709 entitled “Food Processor With Cutting Blade AssemblySupport,” filed Apr. 29, 2010. (Attorney Docket No. SUB-00278-US-NP),and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “AdjustableFood Processor With Guide Ramp,” filed Apr. 29, 2010. (Attorney DocketNo. SUB-00276-US-NP), each of which is assigned to the same assignee asthe present application, each of which is filed concurrently herewith,and each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a domestic food processor,and more particularly to a food processor having a control for adjustingthe cutting thickness of the food processor.

BACKGROUND

A food processor is a motorized domestic appliance for manipulating(e.g., chopping, slicing, dicing, shredding, grating, or blending) fooditems. Such an appliance includes a bowl with a removable lid. Fooditems are inserted into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lidwhere they are cut by motor-driven cutting tool.

Food processors typically come equipped with a number of interchangeablecutting tools for slicing, shredding, or other food processingoperations. One common cutting tool is a rotating disk-type cutter. Sucha cutting tool includes a rotating disk having a cutting blade fixedthereto. The cutting blade is secured to the rotating disk at a locationadjacent to an aperture formed in the disk so that pieces of food cut bythe blade fall through the aperture and collect in the bottom of thebowl.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of this disclosure, a food processor includes abase having a motor positioned therein, a removable bowl coupled to thebase, and a removable lid coupled to the bowl. The lid has a feed tubethat opens into the bowl. A cutting blade is positioned in the bowl anddriven by the motor to cut food items advanced through the feed tube.The food processor also includes a rotating disk upwardly and downwardlymoveable relative to the cutting blade to adjust the distancetherebetween, and a user-operated pin positioned below the rotatingdisk. The user-operated pin is moveable between a first position inwhich the rotating disk is prevented from moving upwardly and downwardlyrelative to the cutting blade, and a second position in which therotating disk is permitted to move upwardly and downwardly relative tothe cutting blade. In some embodiments, the rotating disk may include asleeve extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof, and thecutting blade may be coupled to a central shaft positioned in the sleeveof the rotating disk.

In some embodiments, the user-operated pin may include a pin bodyextending from a first end through a sidewall of the sleeve to a secondend received in an aperture formed in the central shaft. In someembodiments, the sidewall of the sleeve may include a first plurality ofteeth, an outer surface of the pin body may have a second plurality ofteeth extending therefrom, and a number of the first plurality of teethmay be engaged with the second plurality of teeth when the user-operatedpin is in the first position.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the first plurality of teeth may bespaced apart from the second plurality of teeth when the user-operatedpin is moved to the second position. In some embodiments, the foodprocessor may also include a spring having a first spring end positionedat a bottom of the aperture of the central shaft and a second spring endcoupled to the second end of the user-operated pin. The spring may biasthe user-operated pin in the first position. In some embodiments, aguide pin may extend outwardly from the bottom of the aperture, and thespring may extend over the guide pin.

In some embodiments, the food processor may also include a leverpivotably coupled to a sidewall of the sleeve and may have a first leverend contacting the second end of the user-operated pin. Movement of theuser-operated pin between the first position and the second position maycause the lever to pivot about an axis between a first lever positionand a second lever position. In some embodiments, the lever may extendfrom the first lever end to a second lever end. The second lever end maybe coupled with the central shaft when the lever is at the first leverposition. In some embodiments, the central shaft may have an outersurface with a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and the secondlever end may be engaged with a number of the plurality of teeth whenthe lever is at the first lever position, thereby preventing therotating disk from moving relative to the cutting blade.

In some embodiments, the second lever end may be spaced apart from theplurality of teeth at the second lever position, thereby permittingmovement of the rotating disk relative to the cutting blade. In someembodiments, the food processor may also include a spring having a firstend coupled to a sidewall of the sleeve and a second end coupled to thesecond lever end. The spring may bias the lever in the first leverposition, thereby maintaining the user-operated pin in the firstposition and preventing movement of the rotating disk relative to thecutting blade. Additionally, in some embodiments, a button may besecured to a first end of the user-operated pin, and depressing thebutton moves the user-operated pin from the first position to the secondposition.

According to another aspect, a food slicer assembly for a food processoris disclosed. The food slicer assembly includes a cutting blade, arotating disk upwardly and downwardly movable relative to the cuttingblade to adjust the distance therebetween, and a locking mechanismpositioned below a lower surface of the rotating disk. The lockingmechanism includes a user-operated pin that is moveable between a firstposition in which the locking mechanism prevents the rotating disk frommoving upwardly and downwardly relative to the cutting blade, and asecond position in which the locking mechanism permits the rotating diskto move upwardly and downwardly relative to the cutting blade.

In some embodiments, the food slicer assembly may further include asleeve extending downwardly from the lower surface of the rotating disk,and a central shaft positioned in the sleeve. The central shaft may havethe cutting blade coupled thereto. In some embodiments, the lockingmechanism may include a first plurality of teeth extending from asidewall of the sleeve. The user-operated pin may extend through thesleeve into the central shaft and may have a second plurality of teethextending therefrom. The second plurality of teeth may be engaged with anumber of the first plurality of teeth when the user-operated pin is inthe first position and spaced apart from the first plurality of teethwhen the user-operated pin is moved to the second position.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a plurality ofteeth extending from the central shaft, and a lever extending from afirst end coupled to the user-operated pin to a second end. The secondend of the lever may be engaged with a number of the teeth when theuser-operated pin is in the first position and spaced apart from theplurality of teeth when the user-operated pin is in the second position.In some embodiments, the lever may be pivotably coupled to the sleeve.

According to another aspect, the food processor includes a base having amotor positioned therein, a removable bowl coupled to the base, acutting blade positioned in the bowl and secured to a central shaftdriven by the motor, and a rotating disk having the central shaftextending therethrough. The rotating disk is upwardly and downwardlymoveable between a plurality of positions relative to the cutting blade.The food processor also includes a locking mechanism positioned below alower surface of the rotating disk. The locking mechanism includes auser-operated pin extending through the rotating disk that is moveablebetween a first position in which the rotating disk is prevented frommoving upwardly and downwardly relative to the cutting blade, and asecond position in which the rotating disk is permitted to move upwardlyand downwardly relative to the cutting blade.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a first pluralityof teeth extending from a sidewall of the rotating disk, and theuser-operated pin may have a second plurality of teeth extendingtherefrom. The second plurality of teeth may be engaged with a number ofthe first plurality of teeth when user-operated pin is in the firstposition and spaced apart from the first plurality of teeth when theuser-operated pin is moved to the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food processor;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the food processor of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the rotating disk of thefood slicer assembly of FIG. 2 in another position relative to thecutting blade;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the food slicer assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the food slicer assembly ofFIG. 2 taken along the line 5-5 shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a blade support of the foodslicer assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of a foodprocessor; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the rotating disk of thefood slicer assembly of FIG. 7 in another position relative to thecutting blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willherein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, thatthere is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a food processor 10 is shown. One example of afood processor is the KitchenAid® 12-Cup Ultra Wide Mouth™ FoodProcessor, Base Model No. KFPW760OB, which is commercially availablefrom Whirlpool Corporation of Benton Harbor, Mich., U.S.A. The foodprocessor 10 has a base 12 that houses a motor 14 (shown schematicallyin FIG. 2) and a control unit (not shown). Under the control of thecontrol unit, the motor's output shaft 16 drives a cutting blade 18 (seeFIG. 2) to cut food items such as cheeses, meats, fruits, andvegetables. The base 12 also includes one or more buttons, switches,dials, or other types of controls 20. A user operates the controls 20 tocontrol the operation of the motor 14 and hence the food processor 10.For instance, one of the controls 20 may be operable to turn the motor14 on and off, while another control 20 may change the motor's speed.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the control unit maycomprise analog and/or digital circuitry to process electrical signalsreceived from the motor 14 (or other components of the food processor10) and provide electrical control signals to the motor or othercomponents of the food processor 10. For example, the control unit maybe embodied as a microcontroller that executes firmware routines tocontrol the operation of the food processor 10.

A removable bowl 22 is secured to the base 12. The bowl's handlefacilitates placement of the bowl 22 on the base 12. The bowl 22includes a removable lid 26 secured to its upper peripheral edge. Thelid 26 has a feed tube 28 formed thereon through which food items suchas cheeses, meats, fruits, and vegetables are inserted into the bowl 22to be processed by the food processor 10. Collectively, the lid 26 andthe bowl 22 define a processing chamber 24 where food items areprocessed by the cutting blade 18.

The bowl 22, lid 26, and feed tube 28 are generally made of atransparent or translucent plastic material, so that the contents of thefood processor 10 can be viewed by a user without removing the lid 26from the bowl 22. Moreover, one or more locking mechanisms may be usedto lock the bowl to the base 12 and the lid 26 to the bowl 22.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the removable bowl 22 is secured to thebase 12, the output shaft 16 of the motor 14 is coupled to a drive stem30. The drive stem 30 is in turn coupled to a food slicer assembly 32.As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the food slicer assembly 32 includes a rotatingdisk 34 and a blade assembly 36, with the cutting blade 18 being onecomponent thereof. The rotating disk 34 effectively divides theprocessing chamber 24 into an upper compartment 38 located between thedisk 34 and the lid 26, and a lower compartment 40 located below therotating disk 34. A vertical distance, D, between the cutting edge 42 ofthe cutting blade 18 and the upper surface 44 of the rotating disk 34defines a cutting thickness. In other words, the thickness of the piecesof food items cut by the food processor 10 is determined by the distanceD between the cutting edge 42 of the cutting blade 18 and the uppersurface 44 of the rotating disk 34. When the distance D between thecutting edge 42 of the cutting blade 18 and the upper surface 44 of therotating disk 34 is increased, thicker pieces of food items are created,with thinner pieces of food items being created when the distance Dbetween the cutting edge 42 of the cutting blade 18 and the uppersurface 44 of the rotating disk 34 is decreased. As will be discussed ingreater detail below, the rotating disk 34 is moveable upwardly ordownwardly between a plurality of cutting positions relative to thecutting blade 18 to vary the cutting thickness of the food processor 10,thereby creating thicker or thinner pieces of cut food items.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the blade assembly 36 includes a central shaft 46that extends from a lower end 48 to an upper end 50. The lower end 48receives the drive stem 30, thereby coupling the slicer assembly 32 tothe output shaft 16 such that the slicer assembly 32 may be driven bythe motor 14. The blade assembly 36 also includes a hub 52 positioned atthe upper end 50 of the central shaft 46. As shown in FIG. 2, a tip 54of the hub 52 is received in a guide sleeve 56 extending downward fromthe underside of the lid 26.

An inner edge 58 of the cutting blade 18 is received in a slot 60 formedbetween the hub 52 and the upper end 50 of the central shaft 46. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutting blade 18 is secured within the slot60 such that substantial deflection of the cutting blade 18 is inhibitedwhen the cutting blade 18 cuts food items in the processing chamber 24.The cutting blade 18 is also secured to a mounting arm 62 extending awayfrom the upper end 50 of the central shaft 46 to an end 64. A number offasteners 66 (i.e., screws) positioned at a rear edge 68 of the cuttingblade 18 extend into the mounting arm 62, thereby rigidly securing thecutting blade 18 to the mounting arm 62. It will be appreciated that inother embodiments the fasteners 66 may take the form of T-stakes, pins,posts, or other structures capable of securing the cutting blade 18 tothe mounting arm 62. Additionally, the mounting arm 62 may include anovermold that receives the cutting blade 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blade assembly 36 also includes a pair offlanges 70 extending beyond the end 64 of the mounting arm 62. One ofthe flanges 70 is an outer edge 72 of the cutting blade 18. Anotherflange 70 is an arcuate-shaped lip 74 extending outwardly from the end64 of the mounting arm 62 that is parallel to the outer edge 72 of thecutting blade 18. As will be discussed in greater detail below, at leastone of the flanges 70 is received in one of a plurality of slots 76formed in the rotating disk 34 at each of the cutting positions.

The rotating disk 34 includes a planar body 80 and a central sleeve 82extending downwardly from a lower surface 84 thereof. It will beappreciated that one or more of the components of the rotating disk 34may be formed from plastic or a metallic material. The rotating disk 34includes a passageway 86 that extends through the sleeve 82 and receivesthe central shaft 46 of the blade assembly 36. The planar body 80 alsohas a contoured opening 88 extending from the upper surface 44 to thelower surface 84. The contoured opening 88 is sized to receive themounting arm 62 of the blade assembly 36. When the blade assembly 36 ispositioned in the rotating disk 34, a gap or throat 92 is definedbetween the cutting edge 42 and the body 80, as shown in FIG. 4.

During operation, the motor 14 causes the blade assembly 36 to rotate.The blade assembly 36 acts on a sidewall 94 of the sleeve 82 such thatthe rotating disk 34 and the blade assembly 36 rotate together. Fooditems inserted through the feed tube 28 are urged into contact with theupper surface 44 of the rotating disk 34 while being acted upon (i.e.,cut) by the cutting blade 18. Cut food items, along with other fooditems small enough to fit within the throat 92, pass from the uppercompartment 38 into the lower compartment 40 through the throat 92.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the mounting arm 62 has a ramp 95 definedtherein, which guides food items from the throat 92 into the lowercompartment 40 of the bowl 22. The surface 96 of the ramp 95 is slopeddownward from an upper end 97 positioned adjacent to the cutting edge 42to a lower end 98. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface 96 extendsradially outward from the central shaft 46 to the end 64 of the mountingarm 62. The angle of inclination or slope of the surface 96 changesalong the radially length of the surface 96, increasing fromapproximately 15 degrees at the end 64 to approximately 25 degrees nearthe central shaft 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface 96 has an angle ofinclination α of approximately 22 degrees. In other embodiments, thesurface 96 may be convex or concave in one or more directions. Thecentral shaft 46 and the end 64 of the mounting arm 62 act as sidewallsfor the surface 96 such that food items entering the throat 92 areguided down the ramp 95. In that way, the surface 96 is encapsulated orcaptured, thereby reducing the potential for food items to traveloutside of the processing path and thus reducing unwanted debris.

A rim 90 extends upwardly from the outer perimeter of the disk's planarbody 80. The rotating disk 34 has a diameter that is slightly less thanthe inner diameter of the bowl 22 such that the rim 90 is positionedadjacent to, but spaced slightly apart from, the inner wall of the bowlto permit rotation of the disk 34 within the bowl 22. The rotating disk34 also includes a blade support 100 pivotably coupled to the rim 90.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the blade support 100 has the plurality of slots76 formed therein. Each of the slots 76 extends parallel to the outeredge 72 of the cutting blade 18, and each of the slots 76 is sized toreceive one of the flanges 70. In the illustrative embodiment, fiveslots 76 are formed in the blade support 100, and the slots 76 arespaced apart from each other by two millimeters. It will be appreciatedthat in other embodiments the blade support 100 may include additionalor fewer slots and the spacing between the slots may be adjusted.

The blade support 100 has a body 102 extending from an end 104 hinged tothe rim 90 at a pivot joint 106. The pivot joint 106 includes acylindrical pivot pin 108 that extends through, and is positioned in,the rim 90 and the end 104. It will be appreciated that in otherembodiments the pivot pin 108 may be formed as part of the blade support100. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the blade support 100 pivots relative tothe rim 90 about an axis 112 defined by the pivot joint 106 between anengaged position and a disengaged position.

When the blade support 100 is in the engaged position (see FIGS. 2 and3), one of the flanges 70 of the blade assembly 36 is received in acorresponding slot 76. In the engaged position, the body 102 is fullypositioned in an opening 110 formed in the rim 90. When the bladesupport 100 is pivoted to the disengaged position, the body 102 extendsoutwardly from the opening 110, as shown in FIG. 6. In the disengagedposition, the slots 76 are spaced apart from the flanges 70 of the bladeassembly 36.

The rotating disk 34 includes a locking device 114 that secures theblade support 100 in the engaged position. In the illustrativeembodiment, the locking device 114 includes a rectangular tab 116extending from an end 118 of the body 102. When the blade support 100 isin the engaged position, the tab 116 is received in a recess 120 formedin the rim 90. Another recess 122 formed in the end 118 of the body 102permits a user to apply sufficient force to release the blade support100. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the locking device114 may take the form of a latch, pin, or other mechanism configured tomaintain the blade support 100 in the engaged position.

As discussed above, the rotating disk 34 is moveable upwardly anddownwardly between a plurality of cutting positions relative to thecutting blade 18. As shown in FIG. 2, in one cutting position of therotating disk 34, the outer edge 72 of the cutting blade 18 is receivedin the upper slot 124 of the blade support 100. In another cuttingposition, the lip 74 of the mounting arm 62 is received in the upperslot 124 of the blade support 100. In other cutting positions, the lip74 may be positioned in any of the other slots 76 of the blade support100. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments both flanges 70 ofthe blade assembly 36 may be received in slots 76 of the rotating disk34. Additionally, in other embodiments, the blade assembly 36 mayinclude only a single flange 70, such as, for example, the outer edge 72of the cutting blade, which is received in a slot 76 at each of thecutting positions. In addition to providing support to the cutting blade18, the engagement of one of the flanges 70 with one of the slots 76inhibits or prevents the upward and downward movement of the rotatingdisk 34 when the blade support 100 is in the engaged position.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the food slicer assembly 32 includes aseparate locking mechanism 130 positioned below the lower surface 84 ofthe rotating disk 34 that is configured to prevent the upward anddownward movement of the rotating disk 34. In that way, the rotatingdisk 34 can be locked at one cutting position relative to the cuttingblade 18. In the illustrative embodiment, the locking mechanism 130 isalso configured to prevent the blade assembly 36 from rotating relativeto the rotating disk 34.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking mechanism 130 includes auser-operated pin 132. The term “user-operated pin” as used hereinrefers to a pin that is manually operated by the user without the use ofa tool. This is distinct from, and in contrast to, a set screw, hexbolt, or other fastener that is operated by the user through the use ofa wrench, screw driver, or other tool. The user-operated pin 132includes an elongated shaft 134 extending from an end 136 positionedoutside of the sleeve 82 to an end 138 positioned in an aperture 140defined in the central shaft 46. A button-head 142 sized to receive afinger of a user is formed at the end 136 of the shaft 134. The outersurface 144 of the shaft 134 includes a smooth section 146 and anothersection having a plurality of teeth 148 extending therefrom.

The shaft 134 of the user-operated pin 132 extends through avertically-extending slot 150 defined in the sidewall 94 of the sleeve82. The sidewall 94 includes a plurality of teeth 152 that extend intothe slot 150. As indicated by arrow 154 in FIG. 2, the shaft 134 ismoveable between a locked position, in which the teeth 148 of the shaft134 interdigitate or engage with a number of the teeth 152 of thesidewall 94, and an unlocked position, in which the teeth 148 of theuser-operated pin are spaced apart from the teeth 152 of the sleeve. Inthe locked position, the rotating disk 34 is prevented from movingupward and downward relative to the cutting blade 18. It will beappreciated that in other embodiments the central shaft 46 may have anumber of teeth configured to engage with the teeth 148 of theuser-operated pin 132. It will also be appreciated that in otherembodiments the user-operated pin 132, central shaft 46, and sleeve 82may have any combination of slots, grooves, flanges, or other structuressuitable for locking the rotating disk 34 in position relative to thecutting blade 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the aperture 140 defined in the central shaft46 extends inwardly to a bottom 160. A cylindrical guide pin 162 ispositioned in an opening 164 formed at the bottom 160 of the aperture140 and extends away from the bottom 160 to an end. A spring 168 extendsover the guide pin 162 is coupled at a spring end 170 to the end 138 ofthe user-operated pin 132. It will be appreciated that in otherembodiments the guide pin 162 may take the form of a cross, hexagon, orother shape to provide guidance and stability to the spring 168. Thespring 168 biases the user-operated pin 132 away from the bottom 160 ofthe aperture 140 thereby engaging the teeth 148 of the user-operated pinwith the teeth 152 of the sleeve.

To change the distance D between the cutting edge 42 of the cuttingblade 18 and the upper surface 44 of the rotating disk 34, the userunlocks the blade support 100 from the rim 90 and pivots the bladesupport 100 about the axis 112 from the engaged position to thedisengaged position. The user then presses the button-head 142 todepress the user-operated pin 132. The spring 168 is compressed and theteeth 148 are moved out of contact with the teeth 152 of the sleeve 82.When the teeth 148 of the user-operated pin are spaced apart from theteeth 152 of the sleeve, the user may slide the rotating disk 34upwardly or downwardly to another cutting position.

Once the rotating disk 34 is at the desired cutting position, the userreleases the button-head 142, and the spring 168 urges the user-operatedpin 132 away from the bottom 160 of the aperture 140, thereby reengagingthe teeth 148 with the teeth 152 and locking the rotating disk 34 intothe desired cutting position. The user pivots the blade support 100 fromthe disengaged position back to the engaged position, thereby preventingsubstantial deflection of the cutting blade 18 and providing anadditional locking feature to prevent the upward/downward movement ofthe rotating disk 34 relative to the cutting blade 18.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the slicer assembly 32may not include the blade support 100. In such embodiments, changing thedistance D between the cutting edge 42 of the cutting blade 18 and theupper surface 44 of the rotating disk 34 would involve operating onlythe user-operated pin 132 of the locking mechanism 130. Similarly, inother embodiments including the blade support 100, the locking mechanism130 may be omitted and replaced with a different thickness adjustmentassembly operable by a user to vary the cutting thickness of the foodprocessor 10. In those embodiments, changing the distance D between thecutting edge 42 of the cutting blade 18 and the upper surface 44 of therotating disk 34 would involve, first, moving the blade support 100 tothe disengaged position, which would release the rotating disk 34 forupward and downward movement, and, second, operating the thicknessadjustment assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of a food slicerassembly is shown in a food processor. Many of the components of thefood processor of FIGS. 7 and 8 are common with the components of thefood processor of FIGS. 1-6. Such common components have commonreference numerals. The food processor of FIGS. 7 and 8 is essentiallythe same as the food processor of FIGS. 1-6 except that the food slicerassembly (hereinafter food slicer assembly 200) includes a differentlocking mechanism to prevent the upward and downward movement rotatingdisk 34 relative to the cutting blade 18.

The slicer assembly 200, like the slicer assembly 32 described above inreference to FIGS. 1-6, includes a blade assembly 36 and a rotating disk34. In addition to the cutting blade 18, the blade assembly 36 includesa central shaft 202 extending from an upper end 204 to a lower end 206.The lower end 206 receives the drive stem 30, thereby coupling theslicer assembly 200 to the motor 14. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, onesection 208 of central shaft 202 has a plurality of teeth 210 extendingoutwardly from an outer surface 212 thereof.

The rotating disk 34 includes a central sleeve 214 extending downwardlyfrom a lower surface 84 thereof. A passageway 216 extends through thesleeve 214 and receives the central shaft 202 of the blade assembly 36.Similar to the locking mechanism 130 described above in reference toFIGS. 1-6, a pair of locking mechanisms 230 are positioned below thelower surface 84 of the rotating disk 34.

Each locking mechanism 230 includes a user-operated pin 232 and a lever234 coupled thereto. The user-operated pin 232 includes a shaft 236 thatis positioned in a through-hole 238 formed in a sidewall 240 of thesleeve 214. The shaft 236 extends from an end 242 positioned outside ofthe sleeve 214 to an end 244 positioned in the passageway 216. Theuser-operated pin 232 moves back and forth within the through-hole 238,as indicated by arrow 246, between a locked position and an unlockedposition.

The lever 234 is positioned within the passageway 216 and is pivotablycoupled to the sidewall 240 of the sleeve 214. The lever 234 has a leverbody 250 that extends from an upper end 252 to a lower end 254. Theupper end 252 of lever body 250 includes a tip 256 that is sized toengage with the teeth 210 formed on the central shaft 202. The lower end254 is coupled to the end 244 of the user-operated pin 232. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the ends 244, 254 are in contact but are not fixed toeach other. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the ends244, 254 may be pivotably fastened together.

The lever body 250 is pivotably coupled to the sidewall 240 at a pivotjoint 260. The pivot joint 260 includes a cylindrical pivot pin 262 thatextends through lever body 250 and the sidewall 240. The lever body 250pivots about an axis defined by the pivot joint 260 between an engagedposition and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the tip 256of the lever 234 is engaged with a number of the teeth 210 of thecentral shaft 202. When the lever 234 is in the engaged position, therotating disk 34 is prevented from moving relative to the cutting blade18. In the disengaged position, the tip 256 of the lever is spaced apartfrom the teeth 210 of the central shaft 202 such that the lever 234 doesnot prevent the rotating disk 34 from being moved to another cuttingposition.

A spring 266 is positioned in the passageway 216 of the sleeve 214 andis coupled to the upper end 252 of the lever body 250. The spring 266extends from a spring end 268 coupled to the lever body 250 to a springend 270 coupled to the sidewall 240 of the sleeve 214. The spring 266biases the upper end 252 of the lever 234 toward the central shaft 202thereby engaging the tip 256 with the teeth 210 of the central shaft202.

When the user depresses the user-operated pin 232 of each lockingmechanism 230, the user-operated pin 232 is moved from the lockedposition to the unlocked position. The shaft 236 of the user-operatedpin 232 acts on the lower end 254 of the lever 234, thereby causing thelever 234 to pivot from the engaged position to the disengaged position.As the upper end 252 moves away from the central shaft 202, the spring266 is compressed. Thus, when the user-operated pin 232 is in theunlocked position, the lever 234 is in the disengaged position.

When the user releases the user-operated pin 232, the spring 266 urgesthe upper end 252 toward the central shaft 202 thereby re-engaging thetip 256 with the teeth 210. As the lever 234 moves back to the engagedposition, the lever body 250 urges the user-operated pin 232 back to thelocked position.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and descriptionis to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, itbeing understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

For example, while food processor 10 is herein illustrated as aconventional domestic food processor, the features and aspects disclosedherein can also be implemented in other types of food processing devicessuch as automatic food slicers, dicers, ice shavers and the like.Similarly, the blade support could be removable from the rotating disk34 instead of being pivotably coupled to the rim. Additionally, therotating disk could be directly coupled to motor, and the blade could bemoveable relative to the rotating disk.

There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arisingfrom the various features of the method, apparatus, and system describedherein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the method,apparatus, and system of the present disclosure may not include all ofthe features described yet still benefit from at least some of theadvantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art mayreadily devise their own implementations of the method, apparatus, andsystem that incorporate one or more of the features of the presentinvention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosureas defined by the appended claims.

1. A food processor comprising: a base having a motor positionedtherein, a removable bowl coupled to the base, a removable lid coupledto the bowl, the lid having a feed tube that opens into the bowl, acutting blade positioned in the bowl and driven by the motor to cut fooditems advanced through the feed tube, a rotating disk upwardly anddownwardly moveable relative to the cutting blade to adjust the distancetherebetween, and a user-operated pin positioned below the rotatingdisk, the user-operated pin being moveable between (i) a first positionin which the rotating disk is prevented from moving upwardly anddownwardly relative to the cutting blade, and (ii) a second position inwhich the rotating disk is permitted to move upwardly and downwardlyrelative to the cutting blade.
 2. The food processor of claim 1,wherein: the rotating disk includes a sleeve extending downwardly from alower surface thereof, and the cutting blade is coupled to a centralshaft positioned in the sleeve of the rotating disk.
 3. The foodprocessor of claim 2, wherein the user-operated pin includes a pin bodyextending from a first end through a sidewall of the sleeve to a secondend received in an aperture formed in the central shaft.
 4. The foodprocessor of claim 3, wherein: the sidewall of the sleeve includes afirst plurality of teeth, an outer surface of the pin body has a secondplurality of teeth extending therefrom, and a number of the firstplurality of teeth are engaged with the second plurality of teeth whenthe user-operated pin is in the first position.
 5. The food processor ofclaim 4, wherein the first plurality of teeth are spaced apart from thesecond plurality of teeth when the user-operated pin is moved to thesecond position.
 6. The food processor of claim 3, further comprising: aspring having a first spring end positioned at a bottom of the apertureof the central shaft and a second spring end coupled to the second endof the user-operated pin, wherein the spring biases the user-operatedpin in the first position.
 7. The food processor of claim 6, wherein aguide pin extends outwardly from the bottom of the aperture, and thespring extends over the guide pin.
 8. The food processor of claim 3,further comprising: a lever pivotably coupled to a sidewall of thesleeve and having a first lever end contacting the second end of theuser-operated pin, wherein movement of the user-operated pin between thefirst position and the second position causes the lever to pivot aboutan axis between a first lever position and a second lever position. 9.The food processor of claim 8, wherein the lever extends from the firstlever end to a second lever end, the second lever end being coupled withthe central shaft when the lever is at the first lever position.
 10. Thefood processor of claim 9, wherein the central shaft has an outersurface with a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and the secondlever end is engaged with a number of the plurality of teeth when thelever is at the first lever position, thereby preventing the rotatingdisk from moving relative to the cutting blade.
 11. The food processorof claim 10, wherein the second lever end is spaced apart from theplurality of teeth at the second lever position, thereby permittingmovement of the rotating disk relative to the cutting blade.
 12. Thefood processor of claim 8, further comprising: a spring having a firstend coupled to a sidewall of the sleeve and a second end coupled to thesecond lever end, wherein the spring biases the lever in the first leverposition, thereby maintaining the user-operated pin in the firstposition and preventing movement of the rotating disk relative to thecutting blade.
 13. The food processor of claim 1, wherein a button issecured to a first end of the user-operated pin, and depressing thebutton moves the user-operated pin from the first position to the secondposition.
 14. A food slicer assembly for a food processor, comprising: acutting blade, a rotating disk upwardly and downwardly movable relativeto the cutting blade to adjust the distance therebetween, and a lockingmechanism positioned below a lower surface of the rotating disk, thelocking mechanism including a user-operated pin that is moveable between(i) a first position in which the locking mechanism prevents therotating disk from moving upwardly and downwardly relative to thecutting blade, and (ii) a second position in which the locking mechanismpermits the rotating disk to move upwardly and downwardly relative tothe cutting blade.
 15. The food slicer assembly of claim 14, furthercomprising: a sleeve extending downwardly from the lower surface of therotating disk, and a central shaft positioned in the sleeve, the centralshaft having the cutting blade coupled thereto.
 16. The food slicerassembly of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism includes: a firstplurality of teeth extending from a sidewall of the sleeve, and theuser-operated pin extends through the sleeve into the central shaft andhas a second plurality of teeth extending therefrom, the secondplurality of teeth being (i) engaged with a number of the firstplurality of teeth when the user-operated pin is in the first position,and (ii) spaced apart from the first plurality of teeth when theuser-operated pin is moved to the second position.
 17. The food slicerassembly of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism includes: aplurality of teeth extending from the central shaft, and a leverextending from a first end coupled to the user-operated pin to a secondend, the second end of the lever being (i) engaged with a number of theteeth when the user-operated pin is in the first position, and (ii)spaced apart from the plurality of teeth when the user-operated pin isin the second position.
 18. The food slicer assembly of claim 17,wherein the lever is pivotably coupled to the sleeve.
 19. A foodprocessor comprising: a base having a motor positioned therein, aremovable bowl coupled to the base, a cutting blade positioned in thebowl and secured to a central shaft driven by the motor, a rotating diskhaving the central shaft extending therethrough, the rotating disk beingupwardly and downwardly moveable between a plurality of positionsrelative to the cutting blade, and a locking mechanism positioned belowa lower surface of the rotating disk, the locking mechanism including auser-operated pin extending through the rotating disk, the user-operatedpin is moveable between (i) a first position in which the rotating diskis prevented from moving upwardly and downwardly relative to the cuttingblade, and (ii) a second position in which the rotating disk ispermitted to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the cutting blade.20. The food processor of claim 19, wherein: the locking mechanismfurther includes a first plurality of teeth extending from a sidewall ofthe rotating disk, and the user-operated pin has a second plurality ofteeth extending therefrom, the second plurality of teeth being (i)engaged with a number of the first plurality of teeth when theuser-operated pin is in the first position, and (ii) spaced apart fromthe first plurality of teeth when the user-operated pin is moved to thesecond position.